‘They joined us less than a year ago’ — army commander showers encomium on 11 soldiers killed in Kaduna

Muhammad Muhammad, general officer commanding (GOC) 1 division of the Nigerian army, has showered encomiums on the 11 soldiers killed in Kaduna state.

The officers were killed after suspected bandits invaded their camp in Kompanin Doka village, Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna state.

The late soldiers were deployed in Birnin Gwari area to check the activities of armed robbers, kidnappers and cattle rustlers.

Speaking at Commonwealth Cemetery, Kaduna, Muhammad said the deceased soldiers who were between the ages of 19 and 23 years, joined the army barely a year ago.

He said they were full of life and ready to serve the country.

According to the GOC, the soldiers were yet to meet their families to show them their military uniform when they were cut down.

“This is a solemn occasion not much speech would be made. Like Muslims say, from God we came and to Him we shall return. If we shed tears today, it is because we hold these gentlemen in high esteem,” he said.

“On the morning of March 20, 2018, the very able men, stood out to assist this country, they came into this job barely a year ago full of life to give their service to this country.

“They told their relations that they had joined the Nigerian army. Most of them were yet to go back to their relations to show them the uniforms they were given in the army. That is the sad thing about this occasion. Now they have paid the supreme sacrifice to defend the territorial integrity of this country.

“They shed their blood in the community of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna state. The soldiers were trained for about six months and were taken for further training to add value to them. Only for their dreams to be cut short.

“We are assured that all those who behind the killings, that we will not relent in our efforts to ensure that we mate out whatever they deserved. We assure the Nigerian community that the peace of this country, we will guarantee it.

“We found ourselves today as first respondents, we will not shy away from it. We will continue to do our duties diligently regards regardless of any shortcomings, regardless of issues like this.”

The deceased soldiers were identified as Ahmed Olabode, Bamidele Adekunle, Christian Ogochukwu, Adamu Mohammed and Lamara Ahmed.

Others are Suleiman Mubarak, Bashir Sani, Usman Abubakar, Nafiu Iliyasu, Safiyanu Ahmed and Alhassan Ibrahim.

The burial was attended by top military officers as well as the police and other security heads in the state.

The Kaduna state government donated N500,000 to each family of the deceased.

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, who was represented by Balarabe Abbas, secretary to the state government, said the state government was pained by the incident.

“It is with heavy heart and regrets that I stand in your midst to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of 11 soldiers who lost their lives in action at Kompani Doka in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna state,” he said.

“These soldiers were part of the operation Ayem Akpatuma which commenced on February 5, 2018, to combat the security situation in Kamuku forest and its environs as well as curtail the activities of kidnappers and other criminal elements on major highways in Kaduna state.

“These soldiers fought gallantly in securing our lives, they paid the supreme price in the process while three others were also wounded during the attack by the bandits.”

The governor commended members of the armed forces and other security agencies for the support they have been giving to the Kaduna state government in tackling security challenges.